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What is the Green Flag award scheme?

The Green Flag award® scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK .

It was first launched in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country.

The first awards were given in 1997 and, many years later; it continues to provide the high level of quality against which our parks and green spaces are measured. It is also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve high environmental standards, setting a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.

What's more, winning a Green Flag Award® can generate excellent publicity for a site. Both the media and the public are becoming increasingly aware that a site flying a Green Flag is a high quality green space, which can only be a boost to its popularity.

The Green Flag Award is one of a number of accreditation schemes that recognises excellence in the management of our public space;

The Blue Flag Award is awarded by Keep Britain Tidy for well managed and clean beaches;

The Purple Flag Award is awarded by the Association of Town Centre Managers. The Purple Flag is the indicator of where to go for a good night out, bringing positive publicity for successful town and city centre's.

Together the Green, Blue and Purple Flag Awards are a sign that the area you are visiting is managed to high standards, which have been independently verified.